James Matola set for dramatic return

By The Standard | Jun. 9, 2013

FORMER Warriors defender James “Van Damme” Matola is considering finishing off his career in the local league on a six month contract.

REPORT BY ALBERT MARUFU

The former Dynamos, Free State Stars and Supersport United defender, who turned 36 nine days ago, said the decision was not influenced by monetary gain but “to finish it off where it all started”.

“I haven’t decided which team to join, but will certainly join one when the transfer window opens in July.

“There are a number of options and at the moment I am training alone just to keep fit,” said Matola.

Matola said he would only play for the remainder of the season before hanging up his boots.

“I miss the excitement that is in the local league and I want to play for fun, not for money. I just want to play for six months and then go to Europe for my Uefa B licence coaching certificate,” he said.

Matola, however, said he does not want to venture into coaching immediately after his retirement from the game.

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“I do not want to go into coaching so soon, but maybe after five years. I have some personal businesses that I am currently working on and will concentrate on next year,” he said.

Matola, a member of the team that represented Zimbabwe at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations finals, had been playing for Namibia’s Division One side Monotronics FC, as a player coach until three months ago.

“I signed a short contract with the club last year after turning out for Batau FC in South Africa. I have been in Zimbabwe for the past three months,” he said.

Matola started his career with Circle United before moving to Dynamos in 2002.

He then left the club in acrimonious circumstances to join the now defunct Buymore FC.

Matola then joined South African side Supersport United for a season before packing his bags to join Free State Stars for three seasons.

Since then he has played for a number of lower league clubs such as Carara Kicks, Batau FC and Namibia’s Monotronics.